Publication
A longitudinal study of children’s outcomes in a residential special school
Publication of quantitative research findings in 2018.
What is it about?
Children who have faced severe adversity and challenge in their early lives, often struggle at school. Between 2009 and 2015 researchers followed 36 children at a residential special school in the UK. The children showed significant improvements in their socio-emotional, behavioural and academic development.
Why is it important?
The importance of this research stems from the fact that the improvements were achieved in the face of the exceptional disadvantages and challenges that characterise the lives of all children who attend The Mulberry Bush School. This is testimony to the potential of residential special schools to improve the life chances of disadvantaged children. This study led to a follow on qualitative project exploring what elements of The Mulberry Bush contribute to effective therapeutic care.
Perspectives
This longitudinal study was the first large piece of research that we had undertaken. It involved the whole staff team collecting data and was the beginning of the organisation becoming research minded.
